Tony Elumelu celebrates 60th birthday

The Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony Onyemachi Elumelu, CFR, clocked 60 years on Wednesday March 23, 2023 and in commemoration of this event, a symposium was held in his honour at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre in UBA House.

The symposium tagged ’60 for 60’ was attended by 60 young beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, friends and colleagues.

Nigeria Air to fly before May 29 – Minister of Aviation

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has announced that the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air will fly before May 29th, 2023.

Speaking at the 10th Aviation stakeholders forum on Thursday, March 23, Sirika revealed that the project is 98 percent complete.

He added;

“The airline will fly before May 29th this year”.

Muslims who eat in public during fasting period will be dealt with – Kano Hisbah warns

The Kano State Hisbah Board has deployed personnel to mosques to ensure the safety of lives and property during the Holy month of Ramadan.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Ibrahim Lawan on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Kano, NAN reported.

“Hisbah corps will visit mosques during Iftar, Tarawih, Tahajjud prayers to protect worshippers and their property from unpatriotic elements,” the Commander-General of the board, Dr Harun Ibn-Sina said.

“Those who engage in societal vices during this sacred month will be dealt with. Some of the youths who eat in the public during fasting period will not be spared either,” he said.

Mr Ibn-Sina called on the general public to assist orphans and the needy, in a bid to give succour to their suffering.

Mr Ibn-Sina said that clothing, food items, grains, water and cash, could also be given to those in need.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde celebrates her husband’s birthday and their 27th wedding anniversary

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has taken to Instagram to celebrate her husband, Mathew Ekeinde, on his birthday.

The actress who noted that it’s their 27th anniversary, wrote;

“Happy birthday my Forever HoneyBoy… And… Happy Anniversary to us. 27 years and we only just about to get into phase 2 ! Last kiddo now 21… no more PG .… Ready Love? U Endlessly. #Peaceful #Happy #27”

Police arrest 11 suspects for thuggery in Bauchi, recover dangerous weapons

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested 11 suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy, thuggery and being in possession of dangerous weapons.

The spokesperson for the police in the state, SP Ahmed Wakil, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, said the arrest was sequel to the earlier warning issued by the command on all forms of celebrations and rallies by political party supporters for or against winners/losers of the just concluded Gubernatorial and state assembly election.

“The tactical teams attached to the command sustained an aggressive stance against miscreants across the state in a bid to curtail breakdown of law and order following the just concluded gubernatorial and state assembly elections,” the statement read.

“Consequently, the crime prevention operations conducted across the state led to the arrest of eleven (11) suspects on the alleged criminal conspiracy, thug and thuggery and being in possession of a dangerous weapon,”

During the raid, the operatives retrieved thirty assorted dangerous weapons.

The suspects arrested are: Uzaifa Abubakar (Damo) 18, Abdulmalik Hussaini (Biri) 18, Abdulmalik Suleiman (Bluetooth) 21, Usman Isyaku (Kanzo) 20, and Naziru Mohammed (Binju) 18, all of Bayan Nitel area.

Others are; Mubarak Yahaya,18, of Doya area, Alyusha’u Sanusi, 25, of Bayan Zannuwa, Ahmad Usman, 28, of Illela, Mubaraq Nasiru,16, of Railway, Idriss Dauda, 22, of Tsohon Kamfani, and Khalifa Adamu, 20, of Danjuma Goje area.

“The aforementioned suspects were arrested wielding dangerous weapons, disturbing public peace and order along Kobi Street, Fada roundabout and Danjuma Goje area of Bauchi metropolitan,” the PPRO added.

Hoodlums set court ablaze in Ebonyi

Hoodlums suspected to be political thugs have set ablaze a state high court in Owutu-Edda, Afikpo South local government area of Ebonyi.

Oluchi Uduma, the court’s registrar, confirmed the incident to journalists in Owutu-Edda on Tuesday.

She said the hoodlums invaded the court on Tuesday and set the building ablaze.Ms Uduma explained that the court building, documents and other valuables were completely burnt.

The Afikpo South local government’s chairman, Chima Nkama, also confirmed the incident, adding that the matter was reported to the police.

Shops and offices destroyed as fire breaks out in Onitsha Main Market

Shops and offices have been destroyed as a mysterious fire broke out at the popular Onitsha Main Market, in Anambra State.

An eyewitness, Mr Barth Ifediora, who raised alarm, said the fire broke out early morning of Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in a section of the market known as White House.

White House is the office of the leaders of the market, an expansive two-storey building and hosts several offices, halls for meetings in the first and second floor, while the ground floor hosts shops.

“The area mostly affected by the fire is the block of shops under the white house, where expensive lace materials are sold.”

Traders have mobilized to the market to fight the fire.

Bandits abduct man who went to pay N2m ransom for his wife and three children’s release

Bandits have abducted a man who went to pay the N2 million ransom for the release of his wife, son, and two daughters who were kidnapped at Anguwar Janruwa in Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State.

Daily trust reports that the bandits two weeks ago, invaded Anguwar Janruwa in the Janjala community and kidnapped a housewife, Hauwa Abubakar, her son, Idris Abubakar and two daughters, Ummi and Sadiya.

A relative to the victims, Audu Bajeko, said the man, Abubakar Ardo, took the N2 million ransom to the bandits at a location on Sunday but was also held along with his family at the criminals’ den.

He said the bandits also held the man because he did not raise N20 million ransom they demanded to release the man’s wife and children.

“It was around 5:30pm on Sunday, when the bandits’ leader called to inform them that they have held the man who brought N2 million to secure the release of his wife and children. When asked what the problem is, the bandit said the amount the man brought was not what they demanded” he said.

Bajeko said the bandits’ leader insisted that the man and his family would not be released until the balance of N18 million was paid.

Accoridng to him, the relations of the victims were now in confusion as the bandit now have the entire family, adding that the relatives struggled hard before they raised the N2 million ransom taken to them.

The Madaki of Janjala, Samaila Babangida, said the activities of bandits had thrown the entire community into confusion.

“Just two days ago, the senior wife of Ardo Fulani was killed after they collected N2 million from the family, this morning again we received information that another man who went to secure the release of his family was also held after they collected N2 million from him,” he lamented

Federal Government arraigns former terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu

Former terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu will be arraigned today, March 21, by the federal government on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing among others.

Mamu will be arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the FG.

This is coming after it was reported that Justice Nkeonye Maha of a sister court gave the Department of State Services (DSS) a go-ahead to detain the former terrorists’ negotiator for 60 days to enable it to conclude its investigation on the suspect who led the negotiation with the terrorists for the release of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers kidnapped in March 2022.

Gunmen kidnap teenage girl in Ondo community, demand N10m ransom

Kidnappers have demanded N10m for the release of a 19-year old girl, Adetutu Okibaloye, who was abducted from her home at Imoru in Ose Local Government area of Ondo state.

It was gathered that the girl was with her aunt, Mrs Alaba Oga, when kidnappers numbering around seven gained access into their building on Saturday, March 18, 2023, and whisked her away.

A source told The Nation that the kidnappers used cutlass to inflict injuries on the aunt.

The abductors later called the family to demand payment of N10m as ransom.

Another source said operatives of Ondo Amotekun corps were on the trail of the kidnappers.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Olufumilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, who confirmed the abduction stated that the town’s monarch called to inform the DPO at the collation center on Saturday that three people were attacked by gunmen in their home.

While two escaped, the third person, Adetutu Okinbaloye, was taken away, the PPRO added.

26 OAUSTECH graduates bag first class degree

Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, the Vice Chancellor of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa in Ondo State, has disclosed that 26 students of the institution graduated with a first-class degree.

Ologunorisa made this known on Monday, March 20, while speaking with journalists on the activities lined up for the joint first convocation of the university. He said the 26 first-class graduates were among the 982 students that had finished from the institution in five sessions between 2014 and 2022.

Ologunorisa said,

“The highlight of the convocation is the award of university first degrees to 982 graduands from five sets – 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2018/2019, and 2019/2020 session.

“The breakdown shows that a total of 26 graduates made first class, 307 made second class (upper division), 488 in second class (lower division) and 161 in third class.”

Speaking on the number of first-class graduates, he explained that the school had a culture of standard, quality, and hard work, and every one of their students worked hard to earn their marks.

He added that many of their graduates were performing excellently across the globe.

“The university is noted for a very high academic standard. Some of these graduands are already Ph.D. holders from leading universities in the United States, U.K, Germany, South Africa, and Nigeria.

“One of our recent first class graduates in chemistry, Miss Dimehin Adebisi, was admitted for Ph.D in chemical engineering at the University of Cincinnati, USA without passing through a Master’s degree programme.”

The vice chancellor also noted that in spite of various challenges facing the institution, the university was still thriving and making efforts to transition the varsity from teaching university to research university as it had signed Memoranda of Understanding with many universities across the world.

23-year-old policewoman shot dead by her lover in Uganda

Police in Kabale District, Uganda are investigating circumstances under which a 23-year-old female police officer was allegedly shot dead by her civilian lover.

According to police, PC Caroline Komuhangi, who was attached to the Kabale Police Field force Unit was killed on Sunday morning, March 19, 2023, at her barracks residence.

“It’s alleged that on March 18, 2023 at around 6pm, the deceased signed for the gun and went for night duty.

At around 6:30am on March 19, she reported back from duty and while she was resting, her man friend Denis Arinaitwe came in and the two picked a quarrel,” Kigezi region police spokesperson Elly Maate told Daily Monitor.

“As Komuhangi tried to escape, the man friend picked her gun, thereby shooting her one bullet from the back and other two on the shoulder, killing her instantly,” Mr Maate said.

On Sunday, policemen in the pair’s neighborhood arrested the civilian man friend and took him to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital (KRRH) under guard.

“This was because he was also injured as he attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself through the nose,” Maate revealed.

Mr Maate said that the exhibit of cartridges and blood stains on the rifle were recovered and a case of murder recorded at Kabale police station.

By midday, the body of the deceased had been retrieved from the scene and taken to KRRH mortuary for postmortem.

Motorists stranded as soldiers block Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway

Motorists travelling along the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway, on Saturday morning, had a harrowing experience as they were held up in a roadblock instituted by some soldiers.

It was observed that many of the motorists who were tanker drivers were not allowed to pass due to the ongoing governorship and state assembly elections.

One of the soldiers told our correspondent that the road will remain blocked till 6pm.

A tanker driver, Moses Francis, said they have been on the road since 2am.

He lamented that they may not be able to vote due to the roadblock

Ogun man sells son to three buyers for N1.25m

Operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly referred to as Amotekun Corps, have arrested one Daniel Chigozie for allegedly selling his son to three different buyers in Ogun State.

The Commandant of the Corps in the state, David Akinremi, disclosed that the Corps got intelligence that Chigozie, a 30-year-old, had sold his nine-month-old son, Daniel Chinonye Darlington, to three different buyers at different locations in Sango, Meiran and Apapa area of Lagos.

He was said to have sold the baby for N150,000, N400,000 and N700,000 respectively to unknown buyers between August 2022 and February 2023.

Chigozie, who resides at Abela, Sango-Ota, in the Ado-Odo Local Government Area of the state confessed to the crime.

“The suspect in his statement confessed to the crime and he is being processed to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for a follow-up investigation to recover the child and prosecution,” Akinremi said.

Akinremi added that findings by the corps revealed Chigozie had devised a means through which the son was retrieved from each of the buyers after each sale until he sold him to the last buyer, identified as Dr. Nosa, in Apapa.

6-year-old girl sets herself ablaze while practicing cooking

A 6-year-old girl has been left in pains from burn injuries she sustained while she and her mates gathered to practice cooking in Abuja.

Daily Trust reported that the girl brought a gallon containing petrol which she thought was kerosene and emptied the content on the firewood she and her mates had gathered for practicing their cooking skills.

Her father, Christopher Israel, said the minor who is currently admitted at Kubwa General Hospital, is yet to recover from the incident which happened two months ago.

The girl, Strong Tochukwu Israel, was initially rushed to a clinic within the community where she was first treated, but with little improvement two months into the incident.

Israel said;

“I was advised to take her to the Kubwa General Hospital for another round of treatment two weeks ago.’’

Police arrest 53-year-old woman with laminated INEC materials

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old woman, who was allegedly found with laminated electoral materials.

The spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, March 17, 2023.

The PPRO said that the suspect was arrested on Thursday at about 4.00 p.m. at Candos Road, Baruwa in Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos.

According to him, the suspect was arrested inside a business centre where she was making the photocopies.

“She was arrested with 550 different INEC materials. The laptop she used in printing the materials has been recovered and she couldn’t give a good account of how she came in possession of the materials. The case has been transferred to State CID Yaba for further investigation.” he said.

Funeral Service Of Pastor Adefarasin’s Mother

The funeral service of the mother of the House on the Rock’s founding Pastor, Paul Adefarasin, Hilda, has begun at the Guiding Light Assembly, Parkview Estate in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State on Friday.

Adefarasin and his wife, Ifeanyi shared pictures from the burial via their Instagram account.

Adefarasin’s mother died at the age of 98 at her home on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

Delta’s oldest monarch dies at 106

The oldest monarch in Delta State, Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area, His Majesty Richard Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro 1, has joined his ancestors at 106 years.

The translated Ohworode who was installed as the 12th Ohworode in 1988 when he was 70 years old, was a Royal Canon and Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, Urhobo nation.

The passage of the renowned monarch was announced on Friday by the Otota of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Macaulay Ovbagbedia, during an enlarged meeting of the community high chiefs and leaders of thought held inside the Ohworode palace.

He said;

“We can confirm today that our Ohworode has gone back to God. He lived a great life; he served the government well and his people.

“We are mourning and celebrating. Reason is because he was old but it’s painful though”.

Also speaking, the Akpile of Olomu Kingdom, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje (SAN), said that “due to the happening, there shall be 21 days of mourning in the kingdom, during which there will be no celebration of burial and marriage”.

He also asked that the chiefs should not adorn themselves in the traditional red cap and beads, but rather put on black armbands to any dressing during the time while the burial plans shall be announced shortly.

Earlier, the community’s Ema traditional cultural troupe had a cultural display followed immediately by booming of royal cannons for 21 times, to herald the announcement of the king’s passage.

Born on 20th January 1917, the departed Ohworode of Olomu kingdom celebrated his last birthday celebration tagged ‘longevity king’ on the 20th of January 2023 with a thanksgiving after a bout of health challenges over a period of two months.

It will be recalled that the deceased monarch, until his departure, could drive himself and read without glasses and also had a complete sets of teeth.

He also doubled as the oldest man (Okpako Orere) of Ogoni Olomu Community.His reign witnessed tremendous peace, progress and development.

The departed monarch was baptized into the Anglican Communion in 1936. He was a retired Inspector of Education under the then Bendel State ministry of education.

Thieves steal equipment worth millions from Ogun hospital

Suspected thieves reportedly broke into the newly inaugurated 100-bed Mother and Child Hospital in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State a month after commissioning.

Our correspondent reports that the hospital was commissioned on Saturday, February 1, 2023 by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The thieves reportedly broke into the hospital and carted away electronic equipment worth millions of naira.

The state commandant of the Security Network, otherwise called the Amotekun Corps, David Akinremi, confirmed the incident .

Akinremi disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday.He said his operatives have arrested three suspects in connection with the crime.

He disclosed that the suspects stole six 43-inch Hisense T.V. sets, two 65-inch Bruhm T.V sets, three Bruhm fridges, one Midea refrigerator, and three Lontor rechargeable standing fans, all valued at N3 million.

Akinremi said the prime suspect, one Ogunjembola Kehinde, led his gang to burgle the hospital.

He said Ogunjembola was arrested following a complaint of burglary and stealing by one Kehinde Banjoko that some unknown persons broke into her residence while she was away in Lagos and stole several household items such as generating sets, gas cylinder, standing fan, mattresses and rug, among others, valued at about N500,000.

“Based on actionable intelligence, the prime suspect was arrested, and upon interrogation, he admitted that he committed the alleged crime with one other now at large. His admission led to the recovery of all the items stolen from one Lawal Aliu, who is the criminal receiver.

“While investigation into the original complaint was still ongoing, intelligence received further revealed that the same principal suspect in this case, Ogunjembola Kehinde and his criminal gang was responsible for breaking and stealing of some electronic equipment at the newly inaugurated 100 bed Mother and Child Hospital, Iperu.

“When he (suspect) was confronted with this, he also admitted he committed the offence with his co-accomplice in the original case of burglary and stealing reported by Banjoko Kehinde.

“So far, three suspects have been arrested in connection with this case while efforts are ongoing aimed at apprehending other criminal receivers mentioned by the suspects with a view to recovering items allegedly sold to them,” Akinremi said.